How lucky am I that I get to celebrate the release of Rum and Choke down in the Florida Panhandle where the book is set? It’s also great to be able to be with my mom on the day the book releases. My mom (and dad) instilled a love of reading in my sister and me. Before we could read, we were read to. There were endless trips to the library, money for a book or two at book fairs, and books being passed from person to person. Even as adults when we lived far from each other there were many, “Have you read (fill in the blank)?” conversations.
I’ve said this before, but I can’t say it enough – I’m so grateful to Malice Domestic the convention that celebrates the traditional mystery. I mentioned them in the acknowledgements of my first book – Tagged for Death. There I met Julie Hennrikus in such a random way. We were seated at the same table at the banquet. Because of Julie I joined Sisters in Crime and started attending Crime Bake.
Through Sisters in Crime (and the wonderful Seascape Writers retreat run by Hallie Ephron, Lucy Burdette, and S.W. Hubbard) I met Barb, Edith, Jessie, and Liz. I still marvel at how these, at the time, seemingly random events made such a huge impact on my life. And since I’ve formed such close friendships with so many authors I adore and admire. Heck, Barb literally pushed me up in front of her agent at Crime Bake and when she heard he was looking for someone to write a garage sale series thought of me. And here we are celebrating my thirteenth book.
I’m lucky to have met short story writer and editor Barb Goffman through the Chesapeake chapter of Sisters in Crime. She edits my books and each one is all the better for it.
The people of Kensington Books have been fantastic to work with. There are so many people behind the scenes when it comes to producing a book—many who I’ve never met. And then there are the more obvious people like my editor Gary Goldstein and Larissa Ackerman, Communications Manager, who is one of the hardest working (and loveliest) women I know.
I always have to thank my agent, John Talbot. The day Barb pushed me in front of him he said no. But three weeks later I was writing a proposal for him and the rest, as they say, is history. Just last week he buoyed my spirits when he called to say he loved the manuscript I’d sent him. It’s a departure for both of us – a sweet romance with some interesting twists.
I’m thankful to the wonderful readers, bloggers, librarians, and bookstore owners who have supported me. There’s nothing better than the random person who tells you that something in your book meant something to them.
And my family. I don’t know how I got so lucky. My husband and daughter are my biggest cheerleaders. They have wisdom when I’m down, they didn’t complain when I traveled a lot (okay, they didn’t complain too much!) and we celebrate each launch in big or small ways.
You can see why my heart is grateful.
Readers: What makes you grateful?
Here’s a bit about the book: Bestselling author Sherry Harris gives us the latest in a new cozy mystery series featuring a bartender sleuth in the tiny town of Emerald Cove, Florida.
Chloe Jackson runs a saloon in Emerald Cove, Florida—and she also happens to be an expert at putting people behind bars . . .
LAST CALL
The Florida Panhandle Barback Games are coming up and Chloe’s been drafted to represent the Sea Glass Saloon—competing in various obstacle-course events that conclude with rolling an empty keg up a hill. The rivalries are so fierce that some of the participating bars even stoop to bringing in ringers.
Meanwhile, Chloe’s friend Ann—a descendant of the famed pirate Jean Lafitte—asks her to come along for a boat ride as Ann dives into the Gulf of Mexico. She’s found some old papers that may identify the location of sunken treasure. Instead, she finds a sunken body—of one of the ringers hired for the Barback Games. Now that murder is in the mix, Chloe has to figure out whether one of the competitors went overboard . . .
Signed copies of Rum and Choke are available through One More Page Bookstore in Arlington, Virginia.
♥️ Sherry! You are amazing!
Thank you! But you are the amazing one!
Congratulations on your book release. I’m grateful for life, health and authors who keeps me entertained in their stories.
And we are grateful for you and all of your support!
I’m grateful for knowing you, Sherry! So many congratulations on the new book. I love this series, and all I have to do is pop over to the next town to pick up my preordered copy. I’m also grateful for Larissa, for John Talbot, for hands and fingers than can still type, and for all the wonderful readers our there, many of whom I share with you.
Thanks, Edith and back at you. As I was writing this I was remembering when we first started the blog and I was so nervous about writing posts and you would always read mind for me.
I’m grateful for the people who helped me out when I had the initial medical issue with my back that left me pretty much confined to the living room floor. Whether it was the people who dropped by to keep me company and/or do errands for me, my boss for paying me for a week and not making me use vacation time until the 2nd week. And Edith for her get well card.
Sherry, I was trying to order the book today and over on the Barnes and Noble website it says that it is out of stock online. How the heck does that happen ON RELEASE DAY? I’m going to see if I can call the closest indie bookstore to see if they have it in stock.
I’m so sorry to hear about your back, Jay! That is so weird about Barnes and Noble!
It says it’s available now.
Happy Book Birthday, Sherry!
I am grateful to you, the rest of the Wickeds, and other mystery fiction authors for providing me with great reads during the past year.
Thank you so much, Grace!
I’m oh so grateful for hubby. Beside the normal comments one might make about a spouse, I’m so grateful for his patience in teaching me new things like taking photos which quickly became a passion I love so much. He’s understanding when at bedtime, I say “Oh but I must read this last chapter”. He encourages me to buy books when I am thinking more about setting money aside. I’m grateful for the friends that love reading as much as I do enabling us to share books meaning we get to read a lot more books than we probably would have been able too. Also grateful for the ear of those friends when I need to talk to enable healing of the soul. Honestly there’s not enough words or enough space to allow me to say all the things I’m grateful for. I am very blessed in so many ways that I can’t help but to be grateful.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
It is good to have a grateful heart!
Congratulations, Sherry! I am so grateful the whole family was together this holiday season for the first time in four years! It was absolutely wonderful. I’m especially grateful to my daughter and son-in-law for hosting us all.
I’m so glad you finally all were able to be together!
Rum and Choke is pre-ordered and I should be getting a phone call from my indie bookstore today!
Rum and Choke was the nickname my niece used when she was in the roller derby, so the name has special meaning to me.
I’m grateful my hubby is home after being extremely ill in the hospital for way too long. He’s my greatest supporter and cheerleader, always encouraging me to do new things.
I love that Rum and Choke was your niece’s roller derby nickname! And I hope your husband continues to recover quickly!
Congratulations my friend! That banquet dinner at Malice changed both our lives. How lucky are we? Celebrate and enjoy the day. As Barb reminds us, it’s good to stop and acknowledge what we’ve done. You’ve published 13 books!!!
I will do just that! Love you!
I’m grateful for so many things: family, friends, the opportunity to read and review wonderful books by wonderful authors like all the Wickeds. And I’m grateful for my own crazy writing journey. But most of all, I’m grateful to have survived breast cancer for still another year. I am truly blessed.
That is a lot to be grateful for!
It has been my pleasure to be your friend for the last ten years or so. I’ve also loved helping you make your dreams come true. Cheers to you!
Thanks for all you do!
I’m so grateful for you and the wonderful books you and the Wickeds write. I can always count on a great, unputdownable read. Outside the world of books, I’m grateful for a warm house, the ability to charge the phone and computer, and a new car (replacing the lemon) that runs. Many congratulations on the launch!
I’m grateful for you, your writing, and how you support us! I’m glad the lemon has been replaced!
This is a banner day! Sherry’s book came into my indie bookstore and I have already picked it up. AND, Edith’s puzzle came in today’s mail. What an evening I’m going to have!!
That is so lovely! Thanks so much!
I want more of the Garage sale mysteries and can’t believe that you have editors that do not care. But I love this new series and can’t wait to get it. Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much, Madeline! I love the Garage sale mysteries too and miss writing them.
I am grateful that my electric wheelchair will be delivered on Thursday. Thank you for sharing. God bless you. Happy New Year.
That is wonderful news!
Congrats on the new book. I’m grateful for a wonderful Christmas with my family. (I’m not grateful for the extra time and traffic I had to fight to get home today.)
Sunrise.